Food Guide To Downtown LA’s Grand Central Market

Since 1917, the historic Grand Central Market has been a reflection of the population and city around it. In modern day, this tradition lives on with an influx of new and exciting vendors that best reflect what is happening in the culinary landscape of LA. Premium ingredients, local entrepreneurs, and LA based chefs are staking their claim at GCM, a trend that will soon lead to a revolutionary and unexpected elevation of the marketplace. To get here, take the Red or Purple Metro lines to the Pershing Square exit. If you want to drive, get one hour free validation with a $10 purchase. Cash is traditionally king here, but many new vendors accept credit cards.

Formerly of Mezze, chef Micah Wexler is slated to debut his eagerly anticipated ten-seat counter offering classic deli fare meticulously made by hand. Rather than electric slicing machines, you’ll get meats that are personally cured and hand sliced. Even the brown mustard will be ground in house and the rye bread was meticulously created over several months with Etxea Basque Bakery.

Here, it’s all about tradition, nostalgia and the craving for cured meats by an LA native that grew up eating at Langer’s, the exact place to instigate the chefs craving for curved meats and pickles made by hand.

Brought to you by Kyle Glanville (G) and Charles Babinski (&B) collectively, this delightful stall serves up coffees, espresso drinks, and teas selected from the world’s top roasters and farms. They also have wonderful pasties, like the pain au chocolat as well as gourmet handcrafted donuts by The Donut Snob.

G&B’s coffee milkshake and hop-infused carbonated ice tea are interesting must-try’s but you really can’t go wrong with whatever caffeinated beverage you choose here. They also host weekly cuppings on Wednesday’s at 5:30pm where guests have the opportunity to taste the global range of coffees available here. Just enough time to grab and go? Snag a spot in front of the stall for five glorious free minutes in their stall side drop-off lane.

Belcampo takes it to simpler times, where meat is raised on their own land at the foot of Mount Shasta, processed in their own facility, and cut by hand in their own butcher shops. Committed to providing customers with California Certified Organic Farmers and humane meat certified by the Animal Welfare Association, you can confidently know you’re supporting a business that is as sustainable as it is delicious. These guys are passionate about doing the right thing for their land, their animals, their company, and of course their customers. So, you can feel good about supporting this fantastic local gem. Hungry now? They also have restaurant offerings meant to be simple, perfectly cooked dishes made with what will possibly be the best meat you’ve ever had.

Kombucha is all the rage, but this company demonstrates how no two kombuchas are a alike. Better Booch is LA’s premier tea-based kombucha that uses award winning, hand blended teas by LA based tea supplier Art of Tea. Better Booch is naturally fermented in small batches and contains no added sugar from juice, puree, syrups or powders, relying solely on the tea for its bold flavor profiles.

From a concept that started as a food truck that has evolved to a 20 minute wait in line to place an order, it’s clear that Eggslut’s yolk brings all the foodies to the yard. Eggslut is a three-year young gourmet concept founded by Alvin Cailan and his adoration of the incredible edible egg. The menu is a balance of comfort and innovations centered on the egg, with a focus on quality ingredients and crave worthy flavors. Try their signature dish, the Slut, comprised of a coddled egg atop a smooth potato purée, poached in a glass jar and served with toasty crostini.

Did someone say cheese? Downtown’s first full-service cheese store offers domestic and imported cheese, as well as plates, griddle sandwiches and seasonal salads on the prepared foods menu. Additionally, they offer a selection of other delicious food, some of which is locally made by LA artisans.

Handcrafted personal sized pizzas and focaccia salads made in a wood fired oven is the name of the game here. Craft your own from a selection of market-fresh ingredients, or pick one of their own creations off the menu. For a little daytime buzz, they also offer beer on tap and wine.

Its spacious patio is one reason to come here. But, the main draw is the traditional smoked meat paired with modern sides like fennel-apple slaw. The concept was conceived by two native Texans to showcase the classic smoked meats of Central Texas. The menu is offered until 4pm or until sold out, whichever comes first.

Take just one bite into a handmade pupusa from this stall and you’ll be hooked. The papusas are inspired by family recipes from owner Sara Clark, and they contain a dozen different fillings for you to choose from, including vegetarian friendly offerings.

Brothers JD and David grew up on a farm in Kansas, a place that shaped their respect for the labor involved in cultivating and harvesting organic fruit and vegetables. Here, you can peruse their menu of USDA-certified organic, raw juices pressed fresh daily. When juiced, whole fruits and veggies provide a quickly assimilated daily serving of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals for terrific health benefits. It’s the fundamental grab-and-go lunch for the perpetually busy.

Joy Bitonio has the phrase “Joie de Vivre” tattooed on her shoulder, a reminder to enjoy life every single day. She has a voracious appetite for fun, adventure, food, good cocktails and works out like a madwoman to keep it all together. Check out her other articles on CBS L.A. She also covers fitness on Examiner. Follow her on Twitter.